Elena Smith
Delivery Program Manager at IBM - Virtual events
IBM
Elena Smith is a member of:
Could you tell us briefly about your family background?
I am a mother of three children - Jonathan, Jovina and Idalina. My husband, Kenneth and I together brought them up with love and care and gave them what they needed and not all that they wanted. We celebrated our SILVER Jubilee this year with a meaningful celebration "re-living our wedding day"
Degrees That Matter:
Certifications and degrees represent your qualification on paper. We need to have a passion in what we do and put our heart into it first. The creativity follows, you then explore each day and experience as new and grow. We grow everyday by learning, loving all around us and LIVING.
Prized Accomplishment(s):
My children and my family. I made career choices for them at the different stages and I have no regret. I did not climb the career ladder like my colleagues and friends did but I can say I build a family with a strong foundation. My students, one in particular who has grown to heights all round.
Done Differently:
My career as a mother and woman has been a learning process - with deep rooted values that helped me stand strong through stormy weather. Looking back, I do not wish to undo or delete BUT help others by sharing my experiences of learning from my mistakes and blossoming to be a resourceful person.
Other Thoughts:
As a Woman, it is impossible to strike a balance between work and family. I had to prioritize at different stages in my life. Most of the time time for me it was this sequence a family person, a mother and a working woman. My wish is to start an WOMAN WELLNESS WEB(network)we can BE a WOMAN.
Plans For The Future:
In my WWW - Woman Wellness WEB.
Advice For New Professionals:
You are unique, you have your resources, draw them and use them. You cannot be someone else nor can we be jealous of someone. We can enjoy BEING ME.
Job Profile:
I take care of Virtual events, train the trainer to use a virtual tool, moderate the sessions.. I also am a trainer for the new hires program - my favorite class is India Core Consulting Skills, where the participant is encouraged to explore their own skills.
Working Life Management:
Written about this in the previous questions.
Career Profile:
Explained about my current role. This is different now because I am talking through a machine and communicating using a machine. Some days this thought come to my mind - this work culture is less humans and more of machines.
The Journey So Far:
Computer hardware is my passion. Started in production of computers, R & D and PCB design, service of computers, maintenance of computers, lecturer in a degree college teaching Digital Electronics and Computer Hardware and Maintenance. My children were big then I turned to IT - IBM.
Changes In The Professional Environment:
Interaction was Human now it is less and more machine like.
Small pay packets but great relationships, now Bigger pay packets and less relationships. We made time then to build relationships now we let work consume our time.
Role Model:
My father - hard work pays off and a passion in what you do. He is eighty four and he still inspires me.